The two top dogs in the NHL’s Pacific Division, arguably the league’s best last season, hook up in exhibition action tonight when the Ducks and San Jose Sharks face off at Honda Center. The matchup might not be quite what it’s cracked up to be, however.

While the Ducks are more than halfway through their exhibition schedule, with four games under their collective belts in preparation for their Sept. 29 regular-season opener against the Kings in London, the Sharks have played just once, dropping a 6-5, shootout decision to the Kings on Tuesday night at Staples Center.

The Ducks will ice something pretty close to their season-opening lineup tonight, while the Sharks will counter with a mixture of veterans and youngsters that is typical of early exhibition action. The difference, of course, is that the Ducks began training camp and started playing games early because they are opening the regular season early, in London.

In an odd sort of way, though, the advantage might belong to the Sharks. The Ducks need to get ready for regular-season action, but they won’t be seeing a regular season-like lineup from their opponent. The Sharks, on the other hand, can evaluate their young players against pretty much NHL-quality opposition. At least that was San Jose general manager Doug Wilson’s take Wednesday morning. As Ducks general manager Brian Burke and coach Randy Carlyle like to say, however, this is the hand the Ducks have been dealt, and they will play it. They have no other choice.